Navy Bean Soup

So I am yet again watching Julie and Julia. I am 100% convinced that my grandmother was Julia Childs sister from a different mother cause they are so alike its scary!


Anyways so as I Julie and Julia for the 3rd time in 2 weeks I am cooking and thinking of my grandmother and my kitchen has the same smells that i grew up with. The smells of the ham and the chicken stock are filling my kitchen and its just so yummy and the smells are almost making it seem like my grandmother is here with me...





navy bean soup


a bag of NAVY beans
two carrots
one onion
two celery ribs
ketchup
salt and pepper
chicken stock (optional)
the ham bone (and maybe a little of the leftover ham)

soften the beans according to the directions, either the "quick" way or soak over night
then, add enough water (or, if you prefer, you can add chicken stock) to cover the beans by about two inches and get them boiling (this obviously needs a large pot)

mince the onion, celery and carrots and add to the boiling pot, add the bone and ham, about 1/4 cup ketchup and salt and pepper to taste (everything is "to taste" you know)

turn the heat down to a simmer and cook for about 2 hours, the longer the better, or cook it all day if you want

when you think it's done enough and tastes the way you want, take about two or three cups out of the pot and let it cool enough so you can put it in the blender, then put it back in the pot (alternate method is to use your masher utensil, if you have one, and smash the beans while they're still in the pot, I think you may have seen me doing this)

Delicious with toasted cheese sandwiches!

2010

So I think 2010 is going to be a great year... and not


The not so great part of 2010 is my fiancee will be going off to the middle of the ocean..



BUT on to the good things...


James and i are buying a house, we are getting married, and i have a great job




Bring on 2010!!!

Well...

Well after watching Julie and Julia a few times now i have got it in me to write a blog...

So Here i am at 9:20pm starting my blog...


What will it contain you ask.. WELL...it will contain, anything and everything. The laughs that i have, the cries that i have to shear boredom that is me lol...However in a few months this blog will be filled with deployment stuff since my soon to be hubby will be going out into the ocean to defend the US OF A!



Well world that is all for now..bed time